Saudi Arabia May Be Forced to Eliminate Hassan Chop Execution Practices Due to Swordsmen Shortage

The Saudi Arabian government might need to consider contacting Steven Seagal, as a new report indicates that due to a shortage of swordsmen with just the right chops, leaders may soon be forced to have criminals executed by firing squad as opposed to the traditional beheading.

However, the problem is that beheadings have long been a part of Saudi executions. Saudi officials are concerned that cutting ties with their “Hassan chop” protocol would be a clear violation of Islamic law.

"This solution seems practical, especially in light of shortages in official swordsmen or their belated arrival to execution yards in some incidents; the aim is to avoid interruption of the regularly-taken security arrangements," according to a statement from Saudi officials.

There were nearly 80 convicted apostasies, armed robbers, drug traffickers, murderers and rapists beheaded last year within the Saudi kingdom. So far this year, three have lost their heads to the Arabian justice system.

Interestingly, the proposed change comes despite on-going efforts by the United Nations to get the country to eliminate “red queen” practices from execution yards. Yet, Saudi officials have always rejected these requests as “external interference” in its domestic affairs.

A skilled swordsman is said to have the ability to sever a head with mighty one swing; however, there have been numerous reports of cut-rate headsmen taking as many as ten chops to finish the job.